Regulator for vehicle windows



June 13, 1939. s. w. NICHOLSON REGULATOR FOR VEHICLE WINDOWS Filed June 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 13, 1939. s. w. NICHOLSON REGULATOR FOR VEHICLE WINDOWS Filed June 29, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR dfa/r/ty I V/V/b/WZsa/Y Q/ /ZWL ATTORNEY Patented June 13, 1939 REGULATOR FOR VEHICLE WINDOWS Stanley W. Nicholson, Toledo, Ohio, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Detroit Harvester Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application June 29,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle window regulators such as used for raising and lowering the windows of automobiles but more particularly to a regulator of the type shown and described in the application of Stanley W. Nicholson, Serial No. 132,738, entitled Vehicle window regulator. An object is to produce a new and improved regulator of the above character in which the mechanism can be conveniently operated from a remote point thereby enabling the handle location to be arranged on the inside of the door at any desired place.

Another object is to produce a remote control drive for a regulator of the so-called jack knife type employing links or translatory members as an operative connection between the remote control drive of the regulator unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and, for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the regulator mechanism with its remote control drive, showing the regulator connected to the lower edge portion of the window;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 showing the position of the parts at the time when the'link is about to be freed from the crank arm;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 4 to 8 are partly elevational and partly diagrammatical views showing the position of the various parts from the fully raised position of the window glass toits completely lowered position, particularly illustrating the operation of the re mote control device and its connecting links.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a regulator mechanism having a mounting plate H] which is suitably secured to cross bars or supports II and I2 carried on the inside of a vehicle door. Pivotally mounted on the plate E8 on a stud I3 is a triangularly shaped crank arm M to one end of which is pivoted by a stud or rivet l5 a link IS, the outer or free end of which carries a stud or roller I'I riding in a horizontal guide IS in a retainer I9 which is suitably fixed to and depends from a channel 20. The channel 20 is secured to the lower edge of a window glass 2|. The crank arm I4 is formed with oppositely extending ears or rests 22 to receive the link i6 when the latter is in abutment with the crank arm as shown in Fig. 1.

Forming a part of the mounting plate I0 is an extension 23 at its upper end portion and 1937, Serial No. 150,995

integral with this portion is an outwardly extending flange 24 which is arcuately shaped, as indicated on Fig. 1. Intermediate the ends of the link I6 is mounted an outwardly projecting pin 25 which is adapted to ride beneath the flange 24 thereby to hold the link l6 and arm M in constant angular relation during a portion of the swinging movement of the arm. It will be apparent that during a portion of the swinging movement of the crank arm M, the arm and link l6 operate together as a bell crank lever but after the pin 25 is freed from the flange 23, the link It functions as a link for raising or lowering the window glass 2|. It is not believed that further detailed description of the construction and arrangement of the regulator need be given, reference being made tomy co-pending application hereinbefore referred to for more complete description.

In some instances, it is desirable that the actuating or driving means for the regulator be disposed at a point remote from the regulator. This is particularly true in the case of automobile doors which are extremely wide and where it is necessary or desirable that the actuating handle be located a suflicient distance in front of the seat to enable it to be conveniently operated. Ordinarily, the regulator can not be moved to that portion because of interference with other parts or because for best operation the force should be applied to the window substantially centrally thereof. In this instance, the crank arm I4 of the regulator is operated by a remote control mechanism R which may be spaced a substantial distance from the regulator. As shown, the remote control R comprises a mounting plate 26 which is secured by rivets 21 to the supporting plates or bars H and I2 respectively. Secured to the plate 26 is a spring clutch device 28 having a squared shaft 29 on which an operating handle 3|] is fitted. Also forming a part of the clutch mechanism is a pinion 3 l, the arrangement being such that upon turning the handle 3|), the pin 3| may be rotated in one direction or the other and a coil spring (not shown) cooperates with the clutch housing to prevent retrograde movement of the pinion 3|. Clutches or brakes of this character are well-known to those skilled in this art and further detailed description is not considered necessary.

Mounted for turning movements on a stud 33 of the mounting plate 26 is a gear 34 with which the pinion 3| meshes. As shown, the teeth of the gear do not extend entirely around the outer surface thereof but sufficient teeth are provided the opposite side. The opposite ends of the link 36 are pivotally connected to the respective parts at points equally spaced from thefaxes of the gear 34 and arm l4. Similarly, the pivotal con- 16 nections of the link35 are equi-distantly spaced from the axes'of the gear and arm. This ary rangement enables the arm l4 to be swung in one direction or the other by turning'movernents of,

the gear 34, one of the links exerting a pulling aipushing force as will readily be apparent;

7 An inspection of Figs. 4 to 8'will show the manener in which the parts operate. window is shown in its fully raised or closed position, the link l6 and arm l4 being held in abut ment with each other so thatthese parts'function as a' bell crank lever. By turning the handle 30 in counterclockwise direction (Fig, 4) clockwise rotation is imparted to the gear 34,

V 80 whereupon a pushing force is imparted to the 1 link 35 and a pulling force, is imparted to the link 36, thereby causing the link 16 and arm I4 to beswung in a clockwise direction. As will be apparent, these parts are held in abutment relation by engagement of the pin with the flange 24. Continued movement of the handle in the same direction causes the pin 25 to pass from the flange 24 as shown on Fig. 6 and in this instance,

the link 36 is uppermost, the gear 34 imparting a pushing 'forceto the link 36 and a pulling force being initiated against the 1ink35. In this position, the link I6 is freed from the crank arm l4 and a downward pushing force is exerted by. the linkagainst the window-to continue itslowering movement, although the link is juxtaposed to the farm [4. g

:Figure 7 "shows the parts in the position assumed when, further lowering-movement is eflowered position, the links having been correspondingly moved'as will be readily understood. In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 5 and '7, during the raising of the window, the remotecontrol R is subjected to' its greatest load. For that reason, the'linksj 35 and 36 are so connected that they exert their maximum force' at ,force against the arml4 andthe other exerting In Fig. 4, the

fected in which the link 16 is moved farther away from the arm I4. Finally Fig. 8 shows the position of the parts when the window is in its 'fully" be disposed in one of a number of different positions and, if necessary, in angular relation to the regulator thereby to fit the various requirements of service. mote control'R and the regulator provides a positive and reliable connection which can be inexpensively manufactured but which is sturdy, re-

liable and eflicient. Although the above described remote control is particularly advantageous with a regulator of the type shown in which the crank arm moves through an arc of about 240, itican beused satisfactorily with other regulators.

Although I haveshown and described the best form known to me at the present time, it is to be understood that changes in details of construc-* tion, arrangement and operation may be efiected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I'claim is: V 1. 'A vehicle window regulator comprising a crank arm, a link'pivoted to one end of said arm,

, means for connecting the opposite end of said arm to a window,.abutment means on said arm against which said link bears fora portion of the movement of said arm, stationary means cooperable with said link for holding the link in place against said abutment means during a portion of the The link connection between the re- 7 j path of movement of said'arm, a crank operated rotary member remote from said crank arm, and

. a pairof links connecting said rotary member with said arm for imparting turning movements to the latter from rotary movements of the for- 1 mer.

2. A vehicle window regulatorv comprising a' crank arm,'means to turn the arm about a horizontal axis, a link connecting the end of the arm movement relative to said arm out of said constant angle position during a portion of the movement of the latter, a crank operatedirotary mem-' ber remote from said crank arm, and a pair of 7 links connecting said rotary member with said crank arm for imparting turning movements to the latter from rotary movements of the former.

STANLEY W. NICHOLSON. 

